Sports Jersey Hanger and Display

ABSTRACT

A hanger for mounting a jersey to a wall is disclosed. The hanger includes an elongated bar having a length sufficient to span a width of the shoulders of the jersey. The hanger further includes a mounting element for mounting the elongated bar horizontally with respect to the wall, the mounting element including a flexible clamp portion extending perpendicularly from a base portion. The clamp portion includes a C shaped member having an internal diameter and an opening, the internal diameter dimensioned to snugly receive the elongated bar, the opening being dimensioned to be less than the diameter of the elongated bar. The clamp portion is made of a material which is sufficiently flexible to permit the opening to enlarge when the diameter of the elongated bar is inserted through the opening and to return to its original shape after the elongated cylindrical bar has been inserted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to hangers for hanging and displaying a sports jersey on a wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sports jerseys are often collectable sports memorabilia. Autographed jerseys of famous athletes are often acquired by sports fans and collectors. These collectors often display their prized jerseys in a large display case. Unfortunately, given the size and expense of a large display case, only the most prized collectable jerseys are displayed in such a manner. Very often, the jersey is simply hung up on an ordinary hanger and placed in a closet. Therefore, an improved method of hanging, mounting and displaying a sports jersey is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hanger for hanging and mounting a jersey to a wall, ceiling or other flat surface. The hanger includes an elongated cylindrical bar having a length sufficient to span a width of the jersey extending between the shoulder portions of the jersey, the elongated cylindrical bar having a cross sectional diameter. The hanger further includes a mounting element for mounting the elongated cylindrical bar horizontally with respect to the wall, the mounting element including a flexible and resilient clamp portion extending perpendicularly from a base portion. The clamp portion includes a C shaped member having an internal diameter and an opening, the internal diameter dimensioned to snugly receive the elongated cylindrical bar, the opening being dimensioned to be less than the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar. The clamp portion is made of a material which is sufficiently flexible to permit the opening to enlarge when the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar is inserted through the opening. The clamp portion also being sufficiently resilient to return to its original shape after the elongated cylindrical bar has been inserted into the internal diameter.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of hanging a sports jersey onto a wall, the sports jersey having left and right shoulder portions, a collar portion and a width measured from the left and right shoulder portions. The method includes the steps of providing an elongated cylindrical bar having a length sufficient to span the width of the jersey, the elongated cylindrical bar having a cross sectional diameter. A mounting element for mounting the elongated cylindrical bar horizontally with respect to the wall is also provided. The mounting element includes a flexible and resilient clamp portion extending perpendicularly from a base portion. The clamp portion includes a C shaped member having an internal diameter and an opening, the internal diameter dimensioned to snugly receive the elongated cylindrical bar, the opening being dimensioned to be less than the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar. The clamp portion is made of a material which is sufficiently flexible to permit the opening to enlarge when the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar is inserted into the C shaped member through the opening. The clamp portion is sufficiently resilient to return to its original shape after the elongated cylindrical bar has been inserted into the internal diameter. The mounting element is mounted to the wall by means known generally in the art. The elongated cylindrical bar is then threaded through both right and left shoulder portions of the jersey such that the right and left shoulder portions are supported by the elongated cylindrical bar and a central portion of the elongated cylindrical bar at the collar is exposed. The elongated cylindrical bar is then coupled to the mounting element by urging the central portion of the elongated cylindrical bar through the opening of the C shaped member.

With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a long sleeved sports jersey showing the sleeve portions of the jersey outstretched.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the sports jersey of FIG. 1 mounted using the sports jersey hanger made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mounting element portion of the present invention showing the elongated cylindrical bar portion of the present invention being mounted.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mounting element portion of FIG. 3 showing the elongated cylindrical bar portion mounted thereto.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mounting element portion of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the mounting element portion of FIG. 5 showing a portion of the elongated cylindrical bar portion mounted thereto.

FIG. 7 is a front view of sleeveless sports jersey mounted using the sports jersey hanger made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a long sleeved sports jersey mounted using the sports jersey hanger made in accordance with the present invention such that the sleeve portions of the sports jersey extend below the hanger.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, a sports jersey, shown generally as item 10, consists of a long sleeved shirt 12 having sleeve portions 14 (left) and 16 (right) and collar portion 18. It will be appreciated that the mounting system of the present invention will also work with a short sleeved or even sleeveless jersey (as discussed below); however, the case of a long sleeved jersey will be discussed at this point. Also, it will be appreciated that strictly speaking, the jersey/shirt being mounted does not strictly have to be a “sports” jersey per say, rather any shirt (long sleeved, short sleeved or sleeveless) can be mounted and displayed using the mounting system of the present invention. Usually a team logo or other insignia 20 is provided on the jersey. Sleeve portions 14 and 16 often have other team insignia 22 emblazoned thereon which occasionally extends along the sleeve portions to ends 24 and 26. Therefore, to properly and completely display jersey 10, sleeve portions 14 and 16 should be outstretched. The width of the jersey can be defined as the distance between ends 24 and 26 of sleeve portions 14 and 16, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates how jersey 12 is mounted to a wall using hanger 28. Hanger 28 consists of an elongated cylindrical bar 30 and a mounting element 32 mounted to a wall 29. Elongated cylindrical bar 30 has opposite ends 34 and 36 and the elongated bar is dimensioned such that the length of the bar is sufficient to span the width of jersey 12 between ends 24 and 26. Preferably, bar 30 is dimensioned to be slightly longer such that ends 34 and 36 of the bar extend a little way past ends 24 and 26, respectively, when the bar is threaded through both sleeve portions 14 and 16. Mounting element 32 is configured to mount bar 30 horizontally so that the sleeve portions are outstretched and ends 24 and 26 are directly supported by the bar. A central portion 38 of elongated cylindrical bar 30 is exposed through hole 28 formed in collar 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, mounting element 32 has a C shaped portion 40 which extends perpendicularly from a base portion 42. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, neck portion 41 separates C shaped portion from base portion 42, but it will be appreciated that it is possible to manufacture mounting element 32 without neck 41. C shaped portion 40 has an internal cavity 44 with an internal diameter of 45. Preferably internal diameter 45 is equal to or slightly less than external diameter 50 of central portion 38 of elongated cylindrical bar 30 so that the elongated cylindrical bar can be snuggly retained within cavity 44. C shaped portion 40 has opening 46 which is dimensioned to be less than diameter 50. C shaped portion 40 is made of a flexible yet resilient material such as polyethylene or the like, which is sufficiently resilient to permit opening 46 to increase in size by deflection of ends 52 when central portion 38 of bar 30 is urged into opening 46. Ends 52 of C shaped member 40 deflect in the direction of arrows 48 as central portion 38 is urged into opening 46, causing the opening to expand and the central portion to pass through opening 46 and into cavity 44. As seen in FIG. 4, after central portion 38 is fully inserted into C shaped portion 40, ends 52 immediately rebound and effectively hold the central portion of bar 30 within the C shaped portion. Mounting element 32 is mounted to the surface of wall 29 such that bar 30 can be mounted horizontally.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in one embodiment of the present invention, base portion 42 of mounting element 32 can extend beyond the sides of C shaped portion 40 to have flange portions 54 and 56. Flange portions 54 and 56 are preferably slightly narrower than C shaped portion 40 so that the flange portions are covered over by elongated bar 30 when central portion 38 of the bar is mounted to C shaped portion (as seen in FIG. 6). Apertures 58 are formed on flange portions 54 and 56 to permit base portion 42 to be mounted to a wall using standard mounting screws or fasteners (not shown). Alternatively, base portion 42 may be mounted to a wall by means of adhesive tape or glue. With the elongated bar 30 mounted to C shaped portion 32, flanges 54 and 56 and apertures 58 will be hidden behind bar 30 and will not be visible. It will be appreciated that base 42 can be made with or without flange portions 54 and 56. With the flange portions, apertures 58 are spaced further apart, thereby creating a firmer connection with the wall when the base portion 42 is mounted. While positioning apertures 58 to the sides of C shaped portion 40 is possible, it will be appreciated that it is also possible to form a screw aperture on the base portion in an alternate location, say towards a central position on base. Optional central aperture 60 eliminates the need for flange portions 54 and 56 entirely. A standard screw (not shown) can then be passed through opening 46 and into central screw aperture 60 to mount the mounting element to the wall. Of course additional stability can be obtained if two apertures are placed where aperture 60 is placed and two screws are used.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the mounting system of the present invention can be used to mount any shirt or jersey, either long sleeved, short sleeved or even sleeveless. However, in the case of a short sleeved or sleeveless jersey, it may be more aesthetically pleasing to use a shorter elongated cylindrical bar. As seen in FIG. 7, sleeveless jersey 6 does not have sleeves, but does have shoulder portions 5 and 7. These shoulder portions (or shoulder straps) are used to mount the jersey. Elongated cylindrical bar 3 is relatively short, being of sufficient length to span the width of the jersey between shoulder portions 5 and 7. The ends of elongated cylindrical bar 3 should extend a short distance beyond shoulder portions 5 and 7 to ensure that the jersey is well supported. Cylindrical bar 3 is identical in every respect to the previously discussed elongated cylindrical bar with the obvious difference that bar 3 is shorter. Elongated cylindrical bar 3 can be mounted to mounting element 32 which is in turn mounted to a wall, ceiling or other flat support surface.

Likewise, as seen in FIG. 8, the shorter elongated cylindrical bar 3 can be used when mounting a long sleeved shirt. Long sleeved shirt 8 has shoulder portions 23 and 25. Since elongated cylindrical bar 3 is long enough to span shoulder portions 23 and 25, the jersey can be mounted to a wall via mounting element 32 as in the previous example. However, since jersey 8 has long sleeves, and since elongated support bar 3 is relatively short, the sleeves 9 and 11 will simply drape downward. Of course, it is possible to secure the sleeve portions to the front of jersey 8 so that the sleeves drape in front of the jersey.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method of mounting the jersey to the wall shall now be discussed. Firstly, mounting element 32 is mounted at a desired location, either on a wall, ceiling or some other supporting structure. Then, elongated bar 30 is threaded through sleeves 14 and 16 such that ends 24 and 26 of the sleeves are supported by the ends of the elongated bar. Preferably, the elongated bar is sufficiently long that a portion of the bar extends beyond each sleeve end. Threading the elongated bar through the sleeves leaves portion 38 exposed in collar 18. Central portion 38 of bar 30 is then mounted to mounting element 32. The jersey is therefore mounted to the wall (or other structural member) with the sleeves outstretched so that insignia and or markings 22 can be clearly viewed.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

Therefore, what is claimed is:
 1. A hanger for hanging and mounting a jersey having shoulder portions onto a wall or ceiling, the hanger comprising an elongated cylindrical bar having a length sufficient to span a width of the jersey extending between the shoulder portions, the elongated cylindrical bar having a cross sectional diameter, a mounting element for mounting the elongated cylindrical bar horizontally, the mounting element comprising a flexible and resilient clamp portion extending perpendicularly from a base portion, the clamp portion comprising a C shaped member having an internal diameter and an opening, the internal diameter dimensioned to snugly receive the elongated cylindrical bar, the opening being dimensioned to be less than the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar, the clamp portion being sufficiently flexible to permit the opening to enlarge when the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar is inserted through the opening, the clamp portion being sufficiently resilient to return to its original shape after the elongated cylindrical bar has been inserted into the internal diameter.
 2. The hanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the base portion comprises a flat member configured to be mounted to a flat surface, the flat member including an aperture through which a mounting screw can be passed to secure the flat member to the wall, the aperture positioned on the flat member such that the aperture is covered over by the elongated cylindrical bar when the elongated cylindrical bar is mounted to the mounting element.
 3. A hanger for hanging and mounting a jersey onto a wall or ceiling, the jersey having elongated sleeve portions with ends, the hanger comprising an elongated cylindrical bar having a length sufficient to extend through the sleeve portions and extend slightly beyond the end portions, the elongated cylindrical bar having a cross sectional diameter, a mounting element for mounting the elongated cylindrical bar horizontally, the mounting element comprising a flexible and resilient clamp portion extending perpendicularly from a base portion, the clamp portion comprising a C shaped member having an internal diameter and an opening, the internal diameter dimensioned to snugly receive the elongated cylindrical bar, the opening being dimensioned to be less than the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar, the clamp portion being sufficiently flexible to permit the opening to enlarge when the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar is inserted through the opening, the clamp portion being sufficiently resilient to return to its original shape after the elongated cylindrical bar has been inserted into the internal diameter.
 4. The hanger as defined in claim 3 wherein the base portion comprises a flat member configured to be mounted to a flat surface, the flat member including an aperture through which a mounting screw can be passed to secure the flat member to the wall, the aperture positioned on the flat member such that the aperture is covered over by the elongated cylindrical bar when the elongated cylindrical bar is mounted to the mounting element.
 5. A method of hanging a sports jersey onto a wall, the sports jersey having left and right shoulder portions, a collar portion and a width measured from the left and right shoulder portions, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a an elongated cylindrical bar having a length sufficient to span the width of the jersey, the elongated cylindrical bar having a cross sectional diameter; b. providing a mounting element for mounting the elongated cylindrical bar horizontally with respect to the wall, the mounting element comprising a flexible and resilient clamp portion extending perpendicularly from a base portion, the clamp portion comprising a C shaped member having an internal diameter and an opening, the internal diameter dimensioned to snugly receive the elongated cylindrical bar, the opening being dimensioned to be less than the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar, the clamp portion being sufficiently flexible to permit the opening to enlarge when the diameter of the elongated cylindrical bar is inserted through the opening, the clamp portion being sufficiently resilient to return to its original shape after the elongated cylindrical bar has been inserted into the internal diameter; c. mounting the mounting element to the wall; d. threading the elongated cylindrical bar through both right and left shoulder portions of the jersey such that the ends of the right and left shoulder portions are supported by the elongated cylindrical bar and a central portion of the elongated cylindrical bar at the collar is exposed; e. then mounting the elongated cylindrical bar to the mounting element by urging the central portion of the elongated cylindrical bar through the opening of the C shaped member.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the jersey has elongated sleeves with ends and wherein the length of the elongated cylindrical bar is selected such that a portion of the elongated cylindrical bar extends beyond each of the ends of the sleeves when the elongated cylindrical bar is threaded in through the sleeves of the jersey. 